CEN17LA368

The noncertificated pilot was departing in the experimental light sport airplane when the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to return to the runway, but the airplane impacted trees and a fence west of the departure end of the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel line between the fuel tank and engine was brittle and cracked and had broken. Both carburetor bowls were dry. Additionally, putty was found at the fuel tank outlet connector, consistent with a repair to prevent or fix a fuel leak, and the engine air filter was dirty. Although no maintenance records were located, the condition of the engine and its components suggested that it was not being properly maintained. It is likely that the engine experienced a total loss of power due to fuel starvation as a result of the broken fuel line; the loss of engine power prevented the pilot from reaching a suitable landing area. Toxicological testing found potentially impairing drugs in the pilot; however, it is unlikely that the negative effects of the drugs directly contributed to the outcome of this accident.

On September 25, 2017, about 1730 central daylight time, a Quicksilver GT 400S experimental light sport airplane, N5112S, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Blackwood Airport (TX46), Cleburne, Texas. The noncertificated pilot was fatally injured and the aircraft was destroyed. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the accident site and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight which was originating at the time of the accident. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors who responded to the scene, the airplane took off on runway 17. During the initial climb, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to return to the airport, but the airplane impacted trees and a fence behind an apartment complex on the west side of runway 17 near the departure end of the runway. FAA inspectors noted a strong odor of fuel and found a broken fuel line between the fuel tank and the engine. The line was also brittle and cracked. The engine had two carburetors, and both carburetor bowls were dry. The fuel tank was half full. Putty had been placed around the fuel outlet connector at the bottom of the fuel tank, consistent with an attempt to prevent or repair a fuel leak. The engine air filter was dirty. The airplane had been registered to the pilot about 2 years before the accident. No flight or maintenance records were located during the investigation. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office, Fort Worth, Texas, performed an autopsy on the pilot and attributed his death to "blunt trauma". A toxicology screen performed by the medical examiner's office detected ephedrine/pseudoephedrine in urine, and 301 ng/mL ephedrine/pseudoephedrine in femoral blood. Toxicology tests performed by the FAA's Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory identified cetirizine, loratadine, and pseudoephedrine in subclavian blood at levels too low to quantify. Pseudoephedrine and its metabolite norpsuedoephedrine were also identified in urine. Cetirizine is a sedating antihistamine available over the counter, often marketed with the name Zyrtec. Loratadine is a non-sedating antihistamine available over the counter, often marketed with the name Claritin. Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic decongestant not indicated for use by individuals with hypertension. When sold by itself, a common name is Sudafed but it is also used in combination with each of the identified antihistamine in products such as Zyrtec-D and Claritin-D.